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SUDDEN VALLEY — You own the first three seasons. You've made "Come on!" and "I've made a huge mistake" part of your vernacular. You may have even taken your fandom to the next level by naming your children Tobias or Lucille. Now, with the season four premiere of "Arrested Development" just days away, there's only one thing left to do: throw a party.
For die-hard fans of the cult TV show, May 26 — the long-awaited premiere date of season four — is a revered holiday. To help you celebrate, Bluth family-style, here are some ideas for hosting your own premiere party.
Hold the Party at a Special Location
To thoroughly set the scene, host the party on a yacht or in a model home. You could even surprise your guests with a secret location: Acquire half a cabin, preferably on wheels, and park it in a remote destination. Then rent or borrow a stair car to drive your guests to the cabin in style.
Dress Up
Who doesn't love a costume party? Invite guests to show up dressed as their favorite characters, and offer prizes for the most dramatic transformation. (Note: You may want to have paint thinner, some rags and a few drop cloths for the furniture in case anyone attempts a Blue Man makeover.)
Choose a Theme
To make your party a cut above the rest, choose an "Arrested Development" theme within a theme. Some suggestions: bachelorette auction, Daytime Desi fiesta, or Motherboy dance.
Decorate
Set the mood with theme-appropriate decor, or create an homage to the show in your very own home. Set up a prison-style visiting area on the porch, model your living room after Wee Britain, deck out your basement like the Gothic Castle, or set up a banana stand in your kitchen.
Feature Pre-Show Entertainment
Before streaming the first episode, entertain your guests with an alliance-approved magician, a puppet show by Franklin, or perhaps a dance revue featuring the Hot Cops.
Serve World-Class Food
A party isn't a party without snacks. Try some of the Bluth clan favorites, like ice cream sandwiches, hot ham water, mayon-eggs, cornballs, non-poisoned muffins and a cake big enough to jump out of. And don't forget juice — unlimited juice. It's a surefire way to make your party off the hook.
Make it a Double Feature
Before or after screening season 4, show a related feature like "Les Cousins Dangereux," "Love, Indubitably" or "New Warden."
Keep the Party Going with Karaoke
For after-hours entertainment, set up a small stage for karaoke. Suggested songs: "The Final Countdown" and, of course, "Afternoon Delight." If your guests are more musically inclined, provide a ukulele for accompaniment.
Got any other ideas? Send us an e-mail or tell us about them in the comments, but most importantly, send us an invite to the party.
